Elegy for Neal Cassady-Scanner/Allen Ginsberg

"Can ya hear me talkin? calling your spirit god echo consciousness, murmuring sadly to myself. Happy as light released by the Day Spirit become spirit, or robot reduced to Ashes. Tender Spirit, thank you for touching me with tender hands When you were young, in a beautiful body, Such a pure touch it was Hope beyond Maya-meat, O Spirit. Sir spirit, forgive me my sins, Sir spirit give me your blessing again, Sir Spirit forgive my phantom body's demands, Sir Spirit thanks for your kindness past, Sir Spirit in Heaven, What difference was yr mortal form, What further this great show of Space? Sir Spirit, an' I drift alone: Oh deep sigh. Hadja no more to do? Was your work all done? Had ya seen your first son? Why'dja leave us all here? Has the battle been won? the world is released, desire fulfilled, your history over, story told, Karma resolved, prayers completed vision manifest, new consciousness fulfilled, spirit returned in a circle, world left standing empty, buses roaring through streets— garbage scattered on pavements galore— Grandeur solidified, phantom-familiar fate returned to Auto-dawn, your destiny fallen on RR track My body breathes easy, I lie alone, living After friendship fades from flesh forms— heavy happiness hangs in heart, I could talk to you forever, The pleasure inexhaustible, discourse of spirit to spirit" 10 Feb 1968 5-5:30 AM Courtesy Harper Collins Publishers / City Lights Publishers credits